Clauses are building blocks of sentences that shape meaning through their types and order. This guide covers the main clause types and key connectors to help you organize ideas clearly.
Main Clause Types
The two fundamental clause types are Hauptsatz (main clause) and Nebensatz (subordinate clause), each with distinct word order and function in the sentence. Main clauses can stand alone and follow the standard verb-second order, while subordinate clauses depend on a connector and push the conjugated verb to the end.
He is not going to work today because he is sick.
Main Clauses
Hauptsätze express principal ideas and follow the typical word order where the verb occupies the second position. They can stand alone and set the framework for additional information provided by subordinate clauses.
Subordinate Clauses
Nebensätze begin with a subordinating conjunction and place the conjugated verb at the end, making them rely on a main clause for full meaning. They function to add details like time, cause, condition, or contrast.
Key Subordinating Conjunctions
Conjunctions such as weil, dass, wenn, and ob introduce subordinate clauses and signal the type of relationship between clauses. Choosing the right connector ensures that the added information fits smoothly into the overall sentence structure.
| German Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| weil | because | |
| dass | that | |
| wenn | if/when | |
| ob | whether/if | |
| obwohl | although | |
| nachdem | after | |
| bevor | before | |
| da | since/because | |
| seitdem | since (time) | |
| sobald | as soon as |
Sentence Order
In German sentences, the position of clauses affects word order: the main clause typically places the verb second, while the subordinate clause pushes the verb to the end. When a subordinate clause leads, the main clause's verb comes first to maintain a clear and natural flow.
Summary
Understanding the difference between main and subordinate clauses and mastering key conjunctions allows you to build complex sentences that clearly express time, cause, condition, and more. Practice switching clauses and paying attention to word order to make your German both precise and fluent.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025